Dr. Alexander Jesús Figueredo Izaguirre, a prominent Cuban doctor exiled for his outspoken criticism of the Castro regime, has made a public offer to return to Cuba to assist those affected by Hurricane Melissa. In a heartfelt open letter shared on social media, Figueredo, who was expelled from Cuba’s healthcare system in 2021 and now resides in Houston, Texas, addressed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio had recently announced that the U.S. government is prepared to provide immediate assistance to the Cuban people.
"We receive your humanitarian aid offer with the same hope as a people gazing at the sky after a hurricane," Figueredo penned. "We are ready. Ready to return to Cuba not with slogans, but with our lab coats. Ready to heal wounds, not echo speeches. If the United States establishes a humanitarian corridor without the interference of the Communist Party, you will find in us a white army prepared to enter the country and directly assist the people."
Known for his critiques of Cuba's healthcare deficiencies, Figueredo emphasized that “the true revolution today is healing.” His message also held the regime responsible for worsening the plight of the hurricane victims by prioritizing ideology over urgent human needs.
A Call to Heal Amidst Disaster
"Eastern Cuba bleeds under the rubble left by Hurricane Melissa, and while they calculate the political cost, we only want to save lives," he expressed, alluding to the devastation that has left entire communities without water, electricity, or adequate medical attention.
Figueredo’s statement follows Rubio’s offer of humanitarian aid, which indicated that the United States can provide assistance directly or through local organizations capable of effective distribution. Rubio, a staunch critic of the Havana regime, emphasized that U.S. solidarity is with the Cuban people, not its government.
"We stand in solidarity with the brave people of Cuba, who continue to struggle to meet their basic needs," Rubio wrote on X, showing support for civil society against the regime's inefficiency.
A Long-time Critic of the Cuban Regime
Dr. Figueredo Izaguirre, originally from Granma, worked for years in the municipality of Río Cauto, treating over 60 patients daily in his urology clinic before being professionally disqualified due to political reasons. In 2021, he was expelled from the health system and monitored by state security after publicly criticizing the lack of medicines, supplies, and working conditions for Cuban doctors.
His situation became emblematic of the state harassment faced by healthcare professionals who dissent. In July 2022, after a migratory journey through Central America alongside fellow doctor and activist Alexander Pupo Casas, he reached the United States, where he now works in the healthcare sector while validating his credentials.
From exile, Figueredo has consistently opposed the Cuban government, accusing it of destroying public healthcare and using doctors as propaganda tools. "We are those who never betray our patients, who continue to dream of a hospital free from lies and a country where healing is not a crime," he wrote in his letter.
Contrasting Aid and Propaganda
Figueredo’s offer comes at a time when the Cuban government is attempting to project an image of control and efficiency following Hurricane Melissa's devastation, while blaming the U.S. embargo for exacerbating the economic hardships that deepen the crisis.
However, reports from the ground depict a different scenario: flooded hospitals, fuel shortages, medicine scarcity, and a healthcare system collapsing from decades of neglect. While Díaz-Canel tours affected areas, speaking of "vitality" and "spirit of resistance," doctors both inside and outside the island report that the population faces the tragedy almost alone.
In this context, the exiled doctor's proposal carries significant symbolic weight: a call to action devoid of slogans and an implicit denunciation of the internal blockade the state itself imposes on its people. "If they let us in, we will go with clean hands and our oath intact. Because healing, in Cuba, remains an act of rebellion," Figueredo concluded.
Key Questions About Cuba's Healthcare Crisis and Aid
What is Dr. Alexander Jesús Figueredo Izaguirre known for?
Dr. Alexander Jesús Figueredo Izaguirre is known for his activism against the Cuban regime and his outspoken criticism of the deficiencies in Cuba's healthcare system.
How has the Cuban government responded to Hurricane Melissa?
The Cuban government has attempted to show control and efficiency after Hurricane Melissa, blaming the U.S. embargo for economic hardships that worsen the crisis. However, reports indicate severe deficiencies in response efforts.
What does Marco Rubio's offer of assistance entail?
Marco Rubio's offer includes providing humanitarian aid directly to Cuba or through local organizations capable of effective distribution, emphasizing that the aid is intended for the Cuban people, not the government.